MASERATI TROFEO MC WORLD SERIES, SONOMA (USA), RACES 1 - 2, 24 AUGUST 2013
Renaud Kuppens is dominating the fourth round of the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series at Sonoma, California. The Belgian made the Trofeo Europa his own after the season’s opening three races in Europe and has not lost the winning habit in the United States.
Having set the fastest times in free practice and in official qualifying this weekend, the Konvex Motorsport driver scored a splendid one-two in the opening two races at the US circuit that is also hosting the Indycar Series.
In race 2, crashes, spins and back-marker traffic held up Kuppens’ victory march as the safety car came on. One driver who suffered was Andrea Cecchellero and he was forced to pull out. In the end Kuppens got the better of Ange Barde, who started on sixth but put up a fighting display. Barde’s stirring finish saw him cross the line just 0.476 down on the winner.
Third place went to the Italian Alan Simoni. After getting past Mikkel Mac on lap 1, Simoni stuck to Barde and finished ahead of Tyler McQuarrie, the best-placed North American taking part in this weekend’s Maserati Trofeo. Behind him came Mac, from Denmark, with Andrea Gardelli and Canadian Damon Ockey up next.
Kuppens also led from start to finish in Race 1. He took the chequered flag from Monaco-based Cedric Sbirrazzuoli. Mikkel Mac lost a first lap battle with Sbirrazzuoli and then had to fight Alberto Cola hard to keep third. Flying the Stars and Stripes highest in the opening race was Jeff Westphal, who finished fifth.
Race 3 is scheduled to take place around todayat 16.30 (local time). This weekend’s final event will be a 50-minute endurance race with a compulsory pit stop, driver change and timed handicap for the best drivers in the first two races.
Renaud Kuppens: “I’m pretty happy with the two victories. I wanted to win as a mark of appreciation for everyone who is supporting me in this series. Race 2 was tougher than this morning’s, what with the safety car coming on and the traffic towards the end. Also, the track surface felt different to Race 1: it was harder to drive and Barde closed right in at the end. Still, two wins mean precious championship points. The final race will be even more difficult, both for the length of time we’ll be in the car and the time penalty I will have after the first two races. I hope it all goes well”.
Race 1 result
1. Renaud Kuppens 30:58.951* 2. Cedric Sbirrazzuoli 31.03.675 3. Mikkel Mac 31.06.036
Race 2 result
1. Renaud Kuppens 31:35.403* 2. Ange Barde 31:35.880 3. Ragazzi/Simoni 31:38.893
*taking part in the Pirelli Team Cup
